Side movement propelled scooter device having expanded foot platform

ABSTRACT

A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The frame structure may have a foot placement platform that extends laterally between the two rear wheels. The platform may extend over half of the distance between the rear wheels and/or be substantially continuous for that distance. Various platform embodiments and frame structures, including rigid and flexible, are disclosed, among other aspects.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/760,638, filed Jan. 21, 2006, and entitled Side Movement PropelledWheeled Recreational Device and having the same inventor as above.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,filed ______, entitled Sideways Movement Propelled Scooter Device andhaving the same inventor as above, which is hereby incorporated byreference as though included in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scooters and, more specifically, tothose having three or more wheels and which may be propelled by sidewaysmovement of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various self-propelled and motorized scooters are known in the art.These include two wheeled, three wheeled and other multi-wheeledembodiments.

Known three wheeled scooter embodiments include those disclosed in: U.S.Pat. No. 4,540,192, issued to Shelton for a Three-Wheeled Scooter-TypeVehicle ('192 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,121, issued to Holter for aTri-Skater ('121 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,090, issued to Chuang fora Cambering Vehicle Having Inclined Pivot Axle ('090 patent); and U.S.Pat. No. 6,976,687 for a Cambering Vehicle and Mechanism ('687 patent).

The '192 patent discloses a scooter having two rear wheel frame members,each with a narrow foot placement area, that can be moved between afirst adjacent position and a second spaced position. The two rearwheels are each mounted with a spring that biases them in the line ofdirection of their respective frame members. The bias arrangement alsoallows movement of the wheels out of this line of direction, whilereturning them in the absence of a displacement force. This arrangementpermits forward movement of the scooter when the user shifts his or herweight from side to side.

The '121 patent discloses a scooter device similarly possessing narrowfoot placement platforms, yet with tilted caster rear wheels instead ofspring biased rear wheels. This “tilted caster” arrangement has aneffect similar to that of the '192 patent, biasing the wheels in theline of direction of the frame member (if aligned therewith) andpermitting forward propulsion of the scooter device in response to sideto side movement of the user.

The '090 patent discloses a scooter device that possesses narrow footplacement platforms and does not utilize spring biased or tilted casterrear wheels. The '090 patent does disclose a scooter device that has atiltable frame. The tiltable frame permits the steering assembly andwheels to tilt slightly, in parallel, permitting a user to lean thescooter into a turn, etc., thereby enhancing the riding experience.

The '687 patent also discloses a scooter device having narrow footplacement platforms. The '687 patent utilizes discloses a scooter devicethat uses a yoke and linkage arrangement that permits the steeringmechanism and wheels to tilt in parallel, permitting a user to lean thescooter into a turn, etc. In the '687 patent, the rear wheels arefixedly mounted in place and the frame is configured such that there isno independent movement of the position of the rear wheels.

The prior art also includes tricycles and like devices that may have afront wheel, a pair of rear wheels, a seat, and a rear platform or framemember that extends between the rear wheels and provides enhancedstructural connection between the rear wheels.

The scooter devices of the prior art are disadvantageous because theyteach narrow foot placement platforms that do not give a user more spaceto move and/or to more casually or carelessly place their feet (or towelcome additional riders or perform stunts, etc.). Scooter devices ofthe prior art are also disadvantageous in that they do not provide thisor like features in a scooter device with biased direction wheels and/ortiltability of the steering mechanism or frame to enhance performance,etc. The prior art is also disadvantageous in not teaching a scooterdevice that may be folded or otherwise made more compact for storage ortransport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aside-to-side movement propelled scooter device that overcomes thedisadvantageous aspects of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a scooterdevice that has a laterally extending foot platform between the two rearwheels.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such ascooter device that has biased direction mounted rear wheels.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a scooterdevice that may have flexible frame, a tiltable steering mechanismand/or a foldable frame.

These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by useof a side movement propelled scooter device having expanded footplatform as described herein.

In one embodiment, a scooter device of the present invention may includeat least a first forward located wheel and a second and a third rearwardlocated wheel; a frame structure through which the first wheel iscoupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and thirdrearward located wheels are mounted in a biased direction arrangement;and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control memberand is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steeringmechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel. The frame structure mayinclude a foot placement platform extending laterally between saidsecond and third wheels, the foot placement platform extending at leastapproximately half of the distance between the second and third wheels.

In another embodiment, a scooter device of the present invention mayinclude at least a first forward located wheel and a second and a thirdrearward located wheel; a frame structure through which the first wheelis coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and thirdrearward located wheels are mounted in a biased direction arrangement;and a steering mechanism coupled to the first wheel such that turning ofthe steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel; whereinthe frame structure includes a first frame member that is substantiallylongitudinally disposed and a second frame member coupled to therearward end of the first member and extending between the second andthird rear wheels. A foot placement platform is preferably mounted tothe second extending frame member.

Various other inventive aspects are provided within the presentinvention as discussed below and indicated in the claims.

The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features ofthe invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in theart, after review of the following more detailed description of theinvention taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a side elevation, a bottom perspective, and a rearperspective view of a scooter device in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view that illustrates a rear wheel of thescooter device of FIGS. 1-3 mounted in a forward tilted casterarrangement.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a side elevation view, a top perspective view and afront perspective view (in a folded position) of another embodiment of ascooter device in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 are top plan views of the rear portion of three otherembodiments of a scooter device, illustrating different user platformsin accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 11-13 are top plan views of the rear portion of three otherembodiments of a scooter device, illustrating different framearrangements and user platforms in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the scooter device of FIGS. 5-7 with abraking arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a side elevation, a bottom perspective, and arear perspective view of a scooter device in accordance with the presentinvention are respectively shown. The scooter device 10 may include aframe structure 20 that is coupled to a steering mechanism 50 andsupports at least a front wheel 12 and at least two rear wheels 22,32.Frame structure 20 may include a joint structure 40 from which asubstantially longitudinally disposed (i.e., line of direction) supportextends. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the longitudinally disposedsupport is configured as a single support arm 21 though it may beconfigured as multiple support arms or other structure that connects toand extends between the steering mechanism and the extended platform.Support arm 21 may be non-movably coupled to steering mechanism 50(shown in FIGS. 1-3) or movably coupled through pivot 41 (shown in FIGS.5-6) or otherwise coupled.

Joint structure 40 may also include a cylindrical shell 45 or the likethrough which shaft 52 of steering mechanism 50 may extend. Steeringshaft 52 may couple to wheel 12 on one end and ascend vertically to ahandlebar 54 at its other end. It may include multiple (telescoping orotherwise configured) sections 55,56 and a height adjustment mechanism(not shown but known in the art).

Scooter device 10 may have a user platform 25 that is coupled to and maybe positioned substantially perpendicularly to support arm 21. Platform25 of FIGS. 1-3 preferably extends between the rear wheels 22,32 andprovides “standing space” for a user. Platform 25 provides a large,substantially unimpeded surface area that permits a user to carefreelyplace their feet, ride on one side or the other, invite other riders,and perform stunts with greater foot placement possibilities, etc.

Support arm 21 may be fixedly coupled to platform 25 or through a biasedcam 38 or the like that permits movement of the support arm relative tothe platform. The biased cant permits movement in response to physicalstress, but return to an initial position in the absence of thedisplacement stress. Since the support arm is coupled to the steeringmechanism, a biased cam or like arrangement permits the steeringmechanism to tilt relative to the user platform, permitting, for examplea user to lean the steering mechanism into a turn, etc.

Alternatively, forming all or a section of support arm 21 of a rigid yetflexible material (elastic properties), such as fiberglass or flexiblemetal or polyurethane or the like permits the steering mechanism to moverelative to the platform, for example, permitting a user to lean thesteering mechanism into a curve.

The provision of platform 25 with support arm 21 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3)generally forms the letter “T” or a broad “Y” when viewed from above.The platform may have different configurations including being round,rectangular, elliptical, or amorphous, etc., without departing from thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates rear wheel 22 (or 32) mounted in a forward tiltedcaster arrangement. This arrangement achieves a wheel that is capable ofturning via rotation about its mounting shaft, yet which self-returns tothe line of direction at which it is mounted. Self-returning wheels ofthis type or a spring bias type are known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a side elevation view, a top perspective viewand a front perspective view (in a folded position) of anotherembodiment of a scooter device 110 in accordance with the presentinvention are respectively shown.

Scooter device 110 may include many of the features of scooter device 10and other scooter devices described herein. For example, device 110 mayinclude a steering mechanism 150 with a shaft 151 and handle bar 154, afront wheel 112 and two rear wheels 122,132, a support arm 121 thatextends to a user platform 125 and a biased cam or the like 138 thatprovides a flexible coupling of the platform to the support arm. Rearwheels 122,132 are preferably mounted through tilted casters or the likeas discussed elsewhere herein.

The platform 125 may include two foot placement sections 126,135respectively supporting rear wheels 122,132. These foot placementsections 126,135 may be pivotally coupled to a central mount structure137, configured to permit release and folding into the positionindicated in FIG. 7. Support arm 121 may be pivotally coupled tosteering mechanism 150 at joint structure 140 and folded via releasablepivot 141 into the folded position indicated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, top plan views of the rear portion of threeother embodiments of a scooter device, illustrating different userplatforms, in accordance with the present invention are respectivelyshown. FIG. 8 illustrates a platform 265 extending from support arm 221and wheels 222,232 in phantom lines under the platform. Platform 265 issimilar to platform 25,125, yet has more of a V-shape, the specificembodiment of FIG. 8 resembling two symmetrical (about a longitudinalaxis) polygons or a boomerang in shape.

FIG. 9 illustrates a platform 270 having similar shape, yet with a widerV-shape and tapering platform members 271 and lead to larger footplacement regions 272 towards the periphery. FIG. 10 illustrates aplatform 275 having multiple sections 276 mounted on a laterallyextending frame member 277. In aggregate, these sections constitute asubstantially continuous platform extending from above one rear wheel toabove the other.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, top plan views of the rear portion of threeother embodiments of a scooter device, illustrating different framearrangements and user platforms, in accordance with the presentinvention are respectively shown. FIG. 11 illustrates a frame structure280 that includes a principal longitudinally disposed support arm 281(similar to support arm 221) and a laterally extending support memberthat may be straight 282, U-shaped (curved) 283, V-shaped 284 (FIGS.11-13, respectively) or otherwise configured.

In FIG. 11, the user platform 286 is provided in two elongated sections287,288 that extend towards each other. FIGS. 12-13 also illustrateplatforms with elongated sections 293,294 and 297,298, respectively. Ifthe rear wheels are spaced by a distance, d, the combined length of theelongated platform sections, in a lateral dimension substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal line-of-direction of the scooterdevice, is preferably ½ or more of distance d and, in some embodiments,approximately ⅔ or more of distance d.

The curved or angled embodiments, the elongated platforms, and thesubstantially continuous platform arrangements, etc., accommodate readyuse by different sized users. For example, a 5 year old, being ofsmaller frame may stand with his or her feet closer to the inside that alarger frame user.

Referring to FIG. 14, a perspective view of scooter device 110 of FIGS.5-7 with a braking arrangement in accordance with the present inventionis shown. In the device of FIG. 14, the central mount structure 137 maybe coupled to support arm 121 such that the mount structure 137 andplatform section 126,135 rotate or pivot downward relative to supportarm 121 when a user leans backwards on the platform (the mount structuremay be biased towards an initial position). Stated otherwise, the mountstructure and/or platform sections may be configured such that when auser leans on the rear portions of the platform sections, over breakextension 176,177 the platform sections pivot downward from the mountstructure permitting the brake extensions to contact the ground, therebybraking the scooter device.

With respect to materials, the various components of the scooter devicemay be made with known materials. The frame is preferably made of alightweight rigid, durable material such as a aluminum or other metal oralloys thereof. A flexible frame member may be made of fiberglass, aflexible metal or other. Platforms may be made of metal, plastic or ofthe same material used to make skateboard platforms, among othermaterials.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention and the limits of the appended claims.

1. A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user,comprising: at least a first forward located wheel; at least a secondand a third rearward located wheel; a frame structure through which thefirst wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein thesecond and third rearward located wheels are mounted in a biaseddirection arrangement; and a steering mechanism that has a verticallyascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such thatturning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel;wherein the frame structure includes a foot placement platform extendinglaterally between said second and third wheels, the foot placementplatform extending at least approximately half of the distance betweenthe second and third wheels.
 2. The scooter device of claim 1, whereinthe foot placement platform extends laterally at least approximatelytwo-thirds of the distance between the second and third wheels.
 3. Thescooter device of claim 1, wherein the frame structure includes a footplacement platform that extends substantially continuously from thesecond wheel to the third wheel.
 4. The scooter device of claim 1,wherein the frame structure includes a principal longitudinal framemember and the foot placement platform extends substantially outwardlyfrom the frame member toward the second and third wheels.
 5. The scooterdevice of claim 2, wherein the steering mechanism is fixedly coupled tothe frame member and the frame member is fixedly coupled to the footplacement platform.
 6. The scooter device of claim 1, wherein the framestructure is configured such that the vertically ascending member maymove laterally and the frame structure includes at least one of (1) aflexible structural member and (2) a biased joint that is movable andbiased toward an initial configuration.
 7. The scooter device of claim6, wherein the flexible material includes at least one of the group ofmaterials including fiberglass, flexible steel and polyurethane.
 8. Thescooter device of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is at least inpart movable towards the vertically ascending member to form a morecompact arrangement for transport or storage.
 9. The scooter device ofclaim 1, wherein the foot placement platform is moveable by a userrelative to another portion of the frame structure to initiate a brakingof the scooter device.
 10. A scooter device propelled by side to sidemovement of user, comprising: at least a first forward located wheel; atleast a second and a third rearward located wheel; a frame structurethrough which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels,wherein the second and third rearward located wheels are mounted in abiased direction arrangement; and a steering mechanism that has avertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheelsuch that a turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of thefirst wheel; and wherein the frame structure includes a principallongitudinal frame member and a foot placement platform that extendssubstantially outwardly from the frame member to the second and thirdwheels.
 11. The scooter device of claim 10, wherein the foot placementplatform extends substantially continuously from the second wheel to thethird wheel.
 12. The scooter device of claim 10, wherein the steeringmechanism is fixedly coupled to the frame member and the frame member isfixedly coupled to the foot placement platform.
 13. The scooter deviceof claim 10, wherein the frame structure is configured such that thevertically ascending control member may be moved laterally substantiallyperpendicular to the line of direction of travel of the scooter devicewhile the second and third wheels remain on the ground.
 14. The scooterdevice of claim 10, wherein the frame structure is configured such thatthe vertically ascending member may move laterally and the framestructure includes at least one of (1) a flexible structural member and(2) a biased joint that is movable and biased toward an initialconfiguration.
 15. The scooter device of claim 10, wherein the framestructure is at least in part movable towards the vertically ascendingmember to form a more compact arrangement for transport or storage. 16.The scooter device of claim 10, wherein the foot placement platformincludes a least a first section and a second section and the first andsection sections are movable into a more compact arrangement fortransport or storage.
 17. The scooter device of claim 10, wherein thefoot placement platform is moveable by a user relative to the principallongitudinal frame member to initiate a braking of the scooter device.18. A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of user,comprising: at least a first forward located wheel; at least a secondand a third rearward located wheel; a frame structure through which thefirst wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein thesecond and third rearward located wheels are mounted in a biaseddirection arrangement; and a steering mechanism coupled to the firstwheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning ofthe first wheel; and wherein the frame structure includes a first framemember that is substantially longitudinally disposed and a second framemember coupled to the rearward end of the first member and extendingbetween the second and third rear wheels; and a foot placement platformmounted to the second extending frame member.
 19. The scooter device ofclaim 18, wherein the foot placement platform includes at least twoseparate foot placement sections.
 20. The scooter device of claim 18,wherein the foot placement platform extends laterally between the secondand third wheels, the foot placement platform extending at leastapproximately half of the distance between the second and third wheels.21. The scooter device of claim 18, wherein the foot placement platformthat extends substantially continuously from the second wheel to thethird wheel.
 22. The scooter device of claim 18, wherein the framestructure is configured such that the vertically ascending member maymove laterally and the frame structure includes at least one of (1) aflexible structural member and (2) a biased joint that is movable andbiased toward an initial configuration.
 23. The scooter device of claim18, wherein the frame structure is at least in part movable towards thevertically ascending member to form a more compact arrangement fortransport or storage.
 24. The scooter device of claim 18, wherein thefoot placement platform is moveable by a user relative to the firstframe member to initiate a braking of the scooter device.